“I’m pleased that you think I’m beautiful. A few men have shown an interest in me, but there’s no one in whom I’ve been interested until now. . . .”Azalee tried to hide her blush and stood up. “I think we should get these cows to the ranch. Mother will worry if we’re late.”
* * *
When they reached the ranch house, Gabe was standing by a gate waving; he wanted them to drive the cows into the corral. “Your mother is preparing supper,” he said to Azalee. Then he turned to Ty, “If you’ll help me, we can finish repairing this corral by the time supper’s ready.”
"I’ll go help Mother,” Azalee said, hurrying away.
The corral had been neglected; the gate was broken, and some of the rails had fallen. Ty and Gabe put the rails back in place and repaired the gate. After that, they bathed in the sandy creek; the water was clean and crystal-clear.
“This water is too clean to be runoff water,” Ty said. “It’s got to be spring-fed. I wonder why they call it Bitter Creek.”
“Kate told me that the Indians gave it the name because the mature walnuts drop into the water and the hulls make the water bitter.”
“That explains it,” Ty said, drying himself and putting on his shirt. “I’m worried about Kate and Azalee. What’s to stop Marcum from stealing these cows like he did their other cattle?”
“That’s why we’re mending the corral. Kate doesn’t think he’ll steal them from the corral. She said they have plenty of hay, and there’s water available, so they should be all right until we get back.”
“Oh! I didn’t know that you planned on coming back.”
“It’s been years since I lost my family, and Kate is the first woman I’ve met whom I’d like to get to know better. After we get the herd to the railroad, I thought I’d return and see if I can help her get the ranch started again.”
“She’s a pretty woman, and she seems to like you. Marcum has a lotta guns working for him. Getting this ranch started again sounds like it might be a tough nut to crack; however, if that’s what you want, I’ll help you. This area looks like a good place to start my horse ranch. We’d work for Kate until we get her ranch going, and then maybe later buy another place. Gabe, how would you like to be my partner in the horse-ranching business?”
“I was hoping you’d ask. Ty, together, I think that we could do it, but where are we going to get the money to buy a ranch?”
“Oh, I got a little stashed away.”
“I believe you. I was amazed that you had enough money to pay off Kate’s note. Let’s see if the women have supper ready.”
“I want to give Kate and Azalee enough money to keep them going until we get back,” Ty remarked.
“I think that would take a big load off Kate’s mind,” Gabe agreed.
Chapter 15
When Azalee reached the house, she found Kate had bathed and dressed in her prettiest dress.
"I think you like Gabe. I like him, too, but what do we know about him?”
“He told me about himself,” Kate revealed. “He lost his wife and two children in the war. He’s been wandering ever since, looking for a place to start over. He’s a sensitive man and well educated. I think he likes me—I hope he likes me.”
“What do you think of Ty?” Azalee asked as she started her bath.
“Ty is a handsome young man. He’s sure interested in you, and why wouldn’t he be? I can’t help wondering where a cowboy would get enough money to pay off our mortgage. I’m glad he did, but it seems a little unreal. He could have bought our ranch, but he allowed us to keep it. He arranged for us to have cows so we would have fresh milk. Did he tell you anything about himself?”
“Yes, he told me, and he didn’t seem to be holding anything back. He, too, lost everything. When his father didn’t return from the war, Ty went searching for him and found him dying in Georgia. He buried him, returned home to find that carpetbaggers had killed his mother and sister and stole the farm. There was a gunfight, and he killed the carpetbaggers. I think he’s helping us because we remind him of his family. He had to run from the militia, so he came to Indian Territory. He signed on to help drive a herd of cattle from Texas to Kansas. He, too, is looking for a place to start anew. He wants to raise horses and thinks this would be a good place. I think he’ll come back when he completes the cattle drive. He asked if I had anyone I was interested in. I don’t think he would have asked, unless he was interested. What do you think?”
“That’s the only reason I can think of,” Kate agreed with a smile.
Azalee also donned her prettiest dress.
“Did Ty tell you where he got the money?” Kate asked.
“No, he didn’t tell me that, but I doubt that he stole it.”
“Supper is ready. Let’s call them. Maybe they’ll tell us more while we eat.”
Kate went to the door and called out, “Are you about through repairing the corral? Supper is ready.”
Gabe answered, “Yes, we’ve finished. We’ll be right in.”
The dining room had an oval-shaped table that was large enough to seat eight people. Candles lit the table, and the place settings were of expensive china and silverware that indicated the ranch had been very successful at one time.
Looking through the door that joined the living room and the dining room, Gabe saw leather-covered oak furniture arranged in front of a stone fireplace. The house was neat, clean, and furnished in good taste; it felt elegantly comfortable.
The food had been hastily prepared, but it was delicious.
Kate sat at the head of the table. Ty was the first to speak.
“Gabe and I have agreed that after we’ve completed the cattle drive, we’d like to return and help you to get the ranch back on its feet again. I want to give you enough money to keep you going until we get back.” Ty placed fifty twenty-dollar gold pieces on the table.
The generous offer brought tears to Kate’s eyes. She responded, “We would like that, of course, but I can’t afford to pay you for your work, and I can’t pay back the loan until I get the ranch running again.”
Gabe explained, “Ty is looking for a place to start a horse ranch and he likes the looks of this area. He’s asked me to be his partner. Working here for you would give us a chance to select the right place. We don’t expect to be paid.”
“That would be wonderful!” Azalee exclaimed, at the prospect of Gabe and Ty returning.
“You can’t have a horse ranch without horses,” Kate remarked. “How can you loan money to me, buy a ranch, and have enough money left over to stock a horse ranch?”
“I have all the money we’ll need, and I know you’re wondering where I got it, and I’ll tell you when the time is right. All you need to know for now is that I didn’t steal it, or obtain it by dishonest means. Will you let us help you?” Ty asked as he picked up the coins and handed them to Kate.
Smiling, Kate replied, “You’ve already helped. How can I say no?”
“Then it’s settled,” Gabe nodded. “It’ll take us about six weeks to complete the drive. Is there anything else you’ll need while we’re gone?”
“No, the money you’re leaving with us is enough to cover our needs,” Kate answered. “We’ll be looking forward to your returning. There’s one thing more—have you considered the problems you’ll have with Marcum?”
“Judging from what you’ve told me, the other ranchers are experiencing the same problems. I hope we can work with them, and perhaps together we’ll be able to solve most of them,” Gabe answered.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Kate agreed, as she began clearing the table. They all joined in and when the chore was completed, Azalee asked, “Ty, would you go for a walk with me?”
Ty had been wondering how he was going to get time alone with Azalee, and he knew Gabe wanted to be alone with Kate.
“Yes, I’d like to go for a walk; it’s a beautiful evening,” Ty responded.
Azalee took his hand, and as they walked out the door the sun was just drop
ping below the horizon and the sky was aglow with radiant colors. In the meadow, turtledoves were cooing and in the trees along the creek whippoorwills were calling. A balmy summer breeze rippled the skirt of Azalee’s dress. Hand in hand, they walked in the twilight. A boy and a girl walking in the twilight was a scene as eternal as time itself.
They stopped in a darkened glade, and Azalee said, “I know Marcum had my father killed, and I’m afraid he might do the same to you.”
“I’ve met Marcum, and I’ve taken the measure of the man. He’s a bad one, all right, and I know he’ll try to stop me, but knowing that gives me an advantage. I’ll know how to deal with him when the time comes.”
Ty took Azalee in his arms; she lifted her lips to his. The softness of her body was intoxicating. After the cattle drive was completed, he’d be coming back. Marcum be damned, the devil himself couldn’t keep me away.
Gently releasing herself, Azalee said, “I think we should be getting back; I don’t want Mother to worry.”
“Let’s not hurry too much. I think they would like some time alone, also.”
Smiling, Azalee said, “I think you’re right.”
* * *
After Ty and Azalee left the dining room to go for their walk, Kate asked Gabe, “Shall we sit in the living room? We can talk more comfortably.” They sat on the soft leather couch and Kate said, “Ty seems like a nice young man. What do you know about him?”
“It’s good that you’re concerned about your daughter,” Gabe responded. “She’s beautiful, and Ty is sure interested in her. I know from associating with him that he’s smart, well educated, and he doesn’t drink. He has an unusual talent with guns. He’s gifted with both the revolver and the rifle. As the descendant of a long line of frontiersmen, he grew up using guns. But he would never use a gun against another person other than to defend himself or someone in his care. I’ve seen him face difficult and dangerous situations, so I know that he’s a man of courage. I watched him risk his life in quicksand to save the life of the man in charge of the cattle drive.”
“I see that you think highly of him, but I can’t help worrying about where he got the money.”
“That does need explaining, and I’m sure he will, when the time is right. I know him well enough to know that he didn’t steal it. He said that he wants to buy some land and raise horses—do you know of a good ranch he could buy?”
Kate’s face lit up. “My neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Shay, own the ranch downstream. They’re getting on in years and want to sell. Their son was killed in the war, so they want to move back to where they came from. Their ranch is one of the best in the area. Marcum wants to buy it, but he won’t pay them what it’s worth, and he won’t let any of the other ranchers buy it. The Shay’s won’t sell it to Marcum because he would make it difficult for the other ranchers downstream.
The Shays will be pleased to hear that Marcum didn’t get my ranch. It would be terrible if Marcum controlled the water in Bitter Creek.”
“I’m pleased that Ty and I were able to prevent you from losing your ranch. We’ll help you to get it running again and, while we’re helping you, we’ll buy some land nearby. Then we’ll be neighbors.”
“I’d like that,” Kate smiled.
Ty and Azalee came through the door. Gabe said, “Ty, we’ve got to get back to the camp. Sam wants to move out at sunrise.”
Ty nodded to Gabe. “Thank you for a wonderful supper, Kate.” He turned to Azalee and said, “We’ll be back soon.”
Azalee kissed him on the cheek and said, “I’ll be looking forward to seeing you. Please hurry back.”
“Thank you, Gabe,” Kate said. “I’ll also be looking forward to your returning.” And then turning to Ty, she continued, “When we awoke this morning, we thought we were going to lose everything. Now our ranch is back in our hands and the future looks bright, thank you.”
Kate and Azalee walked with the men to the corral and watched as they saddled their horses.
“If everything goes well, we’ll be back in about six weeks,” Gabe explained.
The ladies waved as the men rode away.
Chapter 16
Sam was awake when Gabe and Ty reached camp.
“She sure is a pretty girl, Ty.” Sam remarked. “I wasn’t sure you’d be going on with us.”
“If you had seen her mother, you wouldn’t have been sure about me, either,” Gabe said with a smile.
“Well, I’m glad you’re both back. Now, get some sleep. We roll at dawn. There’s only one big river left to cross, and the prairie is nearly flat for the rest of the way, so we should make it in record time.”
Day after day, the herd moved northbound. They arrived at the railhead with the herd intact.
Sam sold the cattle right away, but due to the unusual size of the herd, the buyer couldn’t pay the full amount in cash, so he had to send a rider to Wichita to get more money. Sam had no choice but to wait. Ty and Gabe wanted to get back to Bitter Creek, but they were obligated to Sam so they waited, also.
The cattle town was an exciting place. It had many saloons and most of them had music, gambling, and girls. Neither Ty nor Gabe drank or gambled, but they accompanied their companions to the saloons and enjoyed the music.
Several other herds of cattle were in town, and they all had cowboys getting drunk and arguing over a saloon girl or a game of cards. They settled their arguments with guns. It was an every night occurrence. Usually, the cowboys in the fight were so drunk that they couldn’t shoot straight, so the disputes ended with nothing worse than a few wounds. The doctor patched them up, and the marshal let them sleep it off in jail.
* * *
One evening, Shorty was playing the piano at one of the bars and Hermano was accompanying him on his guitar. Two strangers walked in. Ty overheard a cowboy standing at the bar say, “Here come those two gunslingers. I’m getting outta here; there’s likely to be a killing. Those two are trying to make a name for themselves. Someone said that they’re waiting for a Texas cowman to be paid for his herd, and then they’re going to take the money away from him.”
Ty told Sam what he overheard.
“Aren’t those the two gunmen who were with Marcum when he tried to steal your horse?” Sam asked.
“Yeah, that’s them,” Ty agreed. “They’re easy to remember because they’re so different. I heard one of the cowboys say that the tall, lanky one is doing most of the killing. The little, slimy one, who reminds me of a weasel, is just backing him up.”
The gunmen walked to the bar.
“What’ll it be, gentlemen?” the bartender asked in a friendly voice.
The tall one slammed his fist down on the bar and barked, “Whisky, and it better not be slop!”
Shorty and Hermano stopped playing when they heard the commotion. The gunman turned to Shorty and said, “Piano player, give us some music!”
Intimidated by the lanky one’s demand, and not liking his insulting tone, Shorty got up from the piano and said, “I’m not the piano player. I’m only a customer.”
“Well, you were playing when we came in. Now play!”
Shorty, not sure what he should do, hesitated.
The gunman shouted, “Play, or go for the gun you’re wearing!”
Knowing that Shorty was no match for Marcum’s gunfighter, Ty nodded to Sam and Gabe who moved behind the weasel and stuck their guns in his ribs. Ty stood between the gunfighter and Shorty and quietly said, “Move back, Shorty, this is my fight.”
With a look of relief, Shorty stepped aside.
Ty said, “Gunfighter, I’m offering you an opportunity to live. Nobody has to die if you’ll walk away. But if you’re still in Marcum’s hire, you and I have some unfinished business.”
The gunfighters hadn’t noticed that Ty and his friends were in the saloon. When the lanky one realized whom he was facing, a look of satisfaction came over his face. He sneered. “Yeah, this is what Marcum hired me to do, and now I’ll take care of it.”
T
he bartender said, “You men take your fight outside. I don’t want you shooting up the place.”
“You go to hell, bartender, I’m gonna kill this cowboy right where he’s standing.”
Watching the gunman, Ty glanced at Sam and said, “Watch the weasel until I take care of this snake. Then turn him loose, and I’ll finish the job.” Facing his challenger, Ty said, “When you’re ready!”
Both men drew and fired so fast that no one in the saloon really saw what happened. They heard two shots and saw the bullet from the gunfighter’s gun rip splinters from the saloon floor at the same a hole appear in his head.
Ty re-holstered his gun and turned to face the other gunman. They all watched as the gunman bolted through the door and heard him ride away into the night.
As Ty, Gabe, and Sam were walking out, the marshal walked in. They stopped and waited by the door. The marshal talked to the bartender and after only a short conversation returned and said to Ty, “I’m glad that someone has ended that scum’s career of killing. Too bad you didn’t get’em both. They’ve killed a lotta men.” Pointing to the dead gunman, he said to the bartender, “Get this stench outta here.” As he was leaving, the marshal spoke to Sam, “You’ve got a good man there, Sam. Take care of him.”
“You can bet your hat we will,” Sam acknowledged.
The marshal smiled, waved a salute, and walked back to his office.
* * *
The following morning, the money came in from Wichita; there was so much of it that Sam had to buy a special bag to carry it.
“Men, if any of you want to stay here, I’ll pay your wages now. Those who want to return to Texas, get your things and let’s ride. You’ll remain on the payroll until we get to Texas, and I’ll pay you the balance of your wages when we get home. I have to pay the other ranchers for their cattle, so I need your help to get the money home.”
Ty said, “I’ll ride with you, Sam. I promised your wife that I’d get you home safely.”
Man Called Ty Page 10
